The federal government, in collaboration with the French government, says it has trained about 500 artisans in its effort to provide employment to the youth

and make them self-reliant.

The Public Relations Officer, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology (OYSCATECH), Igboora, Opeyemi Olawore, disclosed this on Wednesday.

She said that the first set of trainees under the federal government and Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Skill-UP Artisans (SUPA) programme had been concluded.

According to her, the 500 artisans, mostly young women in Igboora, Oyo, had benefited from the training sponsored by the French government.

Ms Olawore said, “Artisans in Igboora and Ibarapa environs now have the opportunity of being trained and certified at OYSCATECH. OYSCATECH has been accredited with seventeen trades to provide comprehensive industry-compliant and certified training programmes.

“The training includes a health and safety programme for various trades such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical and many more, in order to enhance employment opportunities for artisans in local and international markets.

“The Skill-UP Artisans (SUPA) is a transformative initiative by the federal government in collaboration with the ITF.”

She also said that the training would serve as a means for poverty eradication in Nigeria by supporting artisans and promoting industrial development through a strong workforce of skilled individuals.

Ms Olawore added that the programme was aimed at quality service delivery through the certification and licensing of artisans to promote the growth of small and medium-size enterprises in Oyo and Nigeria as a whole. 

(NAN)